Loose Ring Waterford Snaffle

[horsecrazy25]

I was just wondering whether a Loose Ring Waterford Snaffle is a severe bit or not?

Many Thanks
HC25 x

 

[ThePony]

Depends on your hands! 'wriggly' hands seems to be a common complaint - if your hands are like this then it is a severe bit as you will be niggling at the corners of the horses mouth with the links which will make it v sore. If you have nice still, gentle, giving hands then it isn't that severe I think.

 

[LucyLily]

I like waterfords and have used them myself many times.
If you need extra brakes sometime, have a horse that can lean or something that grabs hold of a bit, then waterfords are excellent and when used in the right hands can be really usefull
Getting side tracked...lol
They are strong if you pull and yank and abuse them (and your hands!) but if you are gentle and can school a horse 'correctly' then they can be a comfortable bit to use.
hope this helps

 

[Lisamd]

I have one and have used it on 2 of my youngsters.
The 4 year old is normally in a french link eggbutt but i swapped to the waterford to go hunting, perfect breaks and only slightly sore the next day, we were out all morning and jumped and galloped and it worked a treat.
Also used it on sharp 5 year old for a few sj clinics, he normally goes in a neue schule loose ring snaffle with lozenge but had started to get strong and run on a bit, used it twice at clinics now back in original bit.
Will use it for both when they goe xc the first few times at the start of the season, just to be on the safe side.
Think they are a useful bit, but depends on the reason why you want to use it?

 

[horsecrazy25]

Depends on your hands! 'wriggly' hands seems to be a common complaint - if your hands are like this then it is a severe bit as you will be niggling at the corners of the horses mouth with the links which will make it v sore. If you have nice still, gentle, giving hands then it isn't that severe I think.

Thank you very much for your reply.

 

[horsecrazy25]

Thank you for all the replies, really helpful

I brought a Waterford 2 years ago to use on my TBxID as he can be fairly strong when jumping and when I brought the bit was told it wasn't a severe bit then someone said to me it is severe so I have never used it in the 2 years I have had it. So in perfect condition. I am tempted to try hunting my boy in this bit.

 

[kerilli]

As above. If you saw with it, it's very severe. If you use it very judiciously, it isn't.
It's good for dissuading horses from leaning. I know a SJer who uses waterfords for all flatwork, fwiw.

 

[horsecrazy25]

As above. If you saw with it, it's very severe. If you use it very judiciously, it isn't.
It's good for dissuading horses from leaning. I know a SJer who uses waterfords for all flatwork, fwiw.

thanks, i can understand that it can be severe if u saw as the links would pinch.